There are many different kinds of AA meetings. Some include a talk by a sober member, recounting his or her personal experiences about what life was like while drinking, what happened to get them to AA, and what life is like in sobriety. We call this sharing our “Experience, Strength and Hope.” Other kinds of meetings include reading / discussion of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. AA is not a religious organization, although some meetings happen to take place in churches. Some are in community centers, Alano Clubs, hospitals, or even outdoors. With almost 900 per week in Portland metro, there are plenty to choose from. Try several kinds to see what what works for you.

“If you want to keep drinking, that’s your business. But if you want to stop… AA can help.”

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Portland Area Intergroup (PAI) is a committee of volunteers made up of representatives from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups throughout the Portland metro area. PAI encourages mutual support and cooperation between AA groups and provides services that would be too much for the individual groups to handle by themselves.

Contact the AA Hotline at 503-223-8569 or visit the bookstore at 825 NE 20th Ave #200 in Portland (M-F 9am-5pm)

What is AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements, no dues or fees, and AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.

AA Preamble

The Preamble was introduced in the June 1947 issue of the AA Grapevine magazine and borrows much of its phrasing from the Foreword to the original edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

12 Steps

AA’s Twelve Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.

Worried About Your Drinking?

If you are concerned about your drinking, Alcoholics Anonymous is here to help. Call the 24-Hour Portland AA Hotline at (503) 223-8569 to talk to someone, or continue reading to learn more about the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.